Posts Tagged ‘Understanding’

Understanding the Cholesterol Wars

Cholesterol comes in two sizable forms and it is essential to not only conceive the divergence between the two forms, but also cognize the types of foods that swell “positive” cholesterol while lowering “bad” cholesterol. Only through such discernment can you choose a diet that can lower your risk of developing coronary heart sickness and help counter a heart attack or stroke.

HDL versus LDL Cholesterol

Cholesterol does not dissolve in the blood, it must be transported by lipoproteins to and from the cells within the body. HDL, or “agreeable” cholesterol is high-priced density lipoprotein and it carries up to 1/3 of the blood cholesterol throughout the body. HDL is considered “valuable” cholesterol because excessive levels of HDL have been shown to guard against heart affliction and heart attack. LDL, on the other hand, is considered to be “bad” cholesterol. When indulgent amounts of low density lipoprotein are in the blood, it can aggregate within the inner walls of the arteries over time and form plaque that can restrict blood flow through the arteries.

What Are The Sources of Cholesterol?

The cholesterol in your bloodstream comes from both the food you eat as well as naturally from your own body. Nearly 75 percent of the cholesterol located in your blood is produced by your liver and other cells within your body while the other 25 percent comes from the food you eat. LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, is produced naturally by the body, but hereditary elements may determinent your body to produce too much of the cholesterol. This is why it is relevant to make nourishing dietary choices to greater regulate the 25 percent of cholesterol production that comes from food.

What Foods Can We Avoid?

Food expensive in saturated and trans fats: Avoid eating food stiff in saturated and trans fats. Read food labels to ascertain the quantity of saturated and trans fats they comprise. These

labels will a remedy you avoid foods steep in fat and allow you to choose more nourishing alternatives. Also look for foods with the heart-check dwight symbol on their label. This label indicates that

the food is approved by the American Heart Association as part of a energy-giving diet.

(NO! Not the ice cream!!) Whole fat dairy products: Avoid whole fat dairy products such as whole milk, butter, full-fat cheese and yogurt. If possible, substitute them with fat-free, reduced-fat or low-fat dairy products.

Foods stiff in dietary cholesterol: Avoid foods exorbitant in dietary cholesterol including whole eggs, shellfish, and organ meats. Compensate whole eggs with egg whites and organ meats with lean meats. As a goal, try to limit your intake of cholesterol to secondary than 300 mg a day.

Which Foods Lower “Bad” Cholesterol?

Almonds and walnuts: Almonds and walnuts have been shown to lower LDL, or “bad” cholesterol. Just about a handful of almonds or walnuts a days can significantly lower your cholesterol levels

while improving the health of your blood vessels.

Foods with soluble fiber: Oatmeal encompasses soluble fiber that can lower LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, while keeping HDL, or “agreeable”

cholesterol, equable. Additional foods containing soluble fiber include apples, pears, barley and rice.

Foods with omega 3 fatty acids: Fish takes in omega 3 fatty acids which have been shown to lower LDL while raising HDL cholesterol.

Recommended fish with omega 3 fatty acids include salmon, sardines, albacore tuna and mackerel. Food other than fish containing omega 3 fatty acids include canola oil, flaxseed and soybean oil.

How Can I Prepare My Befitting Diet?

Begin by determining your dietary goals. Do you need to lower your cholesterol considerably or only slightly? Do you yearn to lose weight at the same time as you lower your cholesterol? Will

this be a short-term dietary change or a replete standing change?

Only once you know your goals can you properly plan your new diet plan and begin to lower your bad cholesterol and dwindle your risk of heart disease.

Understanding the Cholesterol Wars

Cholesterol comes in two sizable forms and it is essential to not only conceive the divergence between the two forms, but also cognize the types of foods that swell “positive” cholesterol while lowering “bad” cholesterol. Only through such discernment can you choose a diet that can lower your risk of developing coronary heart sickness and help counter a heart attack or stroke.

HDL versus LDL Cholesterol

Cholesterol does not dissolve in the blood, it must be transported by lipoproteins to and from the cells within the body. HDL, or “agreeable” cholesterol is high-priced density lipoprotein and it carries up to 1/3 of the blood cholesterol throughout the body. HDL is considered “valuable” cholesterol because excessive levels of HDL have been shown to guard against heart affliction and heart attack. LDL, on the other hand, is considered to be “bad” cholesterol. When indulgent amounts of low density lipoprotein are in the blood, it can aggregate within the inner walls of the arteries over time and form plaque that can restrict blood flow through the arteries.

What Are The Sources of Cholesterol?

The cholesterol in your bloodstream comes from both the food you eat as well as naturally from your own body. Nearly 75 percent of the cholesterol located in your blood is produced by your liver and other cells within your body while the other 25 percent comes from the food you eat. LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, is produced naturally by the body, but hereditary elements may determinent your body to produce too much of the cholesterol. This is why it is relevant to make nourishing dietary choices to greater regulate the 25 percent of cholesterol production that comes from food.

What Foods Can We Avoid?

Food expensive in saturated and trans fats: Avoid eating food stiff in saturated and trans fats. Read food labels to ascertain the quantity of saturated and trans fats they comprise. These

labels will a remedy you avoid foods steep in fat and allow you to choose more nourishing alternatives. Also look for foods with the heart-check dwight symbol on their label. This label indicates that

the food is approved by the American Heart Association as part of a energy-giving diet.

(NO! Not the ice cream!!) Whole fat dairy products: Avoid whole fat dairy products such as whole milk, butter, full-fat cheese and yogurt. If possible, substitute them with fat-free, reduced-fat or low-fat dairy products.

Foods stiff in dietary cholesterol: Avoid foods exorbitant in dietary cholesterol including whole eggs, shellfish, and organ meats. Compensate whole eggs with egg whites and organ meats with lean meats. As a goal, try to limit your intake of cholesterol to secondary than 300 mg a day.

Which Foods Lower “Bad” Cholesterol?

Almonds and walnuts: Almonds and walnuts have been shown to lower LDL, or “bad” cholesterol. Just about a handful of almonds or walnuts a days can significantly lower your cholesterol levels

while improving the health of your blood vessels.

Foods with soluble fiber: Oatmeal encompasses soluble fiber that can lower LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, while keeping HDL, or “agreeable”

cholesterol, equable. Additional foods containing soluble fiber include apples, pears, barley and rice.

Foods with omega 3 fatty acids: Fish takes in omega 3 fatty acids which have been shown to lower LDL while raising HDL cholesterol.

Recommended fish with omega 3 fatty acids include salmon, sardines, albacore tuna and mackerel. Food other than fish containing omega 3 fatty acids include canola oil, flaxseed and soybean oil.

How Can I Prepare My Befitting Diet?

Begin by determining your dietary goals. Do you need to lower your cholesterol considerably or only slightly? Do you yearn to lose weight at the same time as you lower your cholesterol? Will

this be a short-term dietary change or a replete standing change?

Only once you know your goals can you properly plan your new diet plan and begin to lower your bad cholesterol and dwindle your risk of heart disease.

Understanding Cholesterol and Heart Health

If you have a better idea of what cholesterol is and how you can manage it in your life, this information will lead to better heart health, and all round better feeling of well being. Cholesterol is a waxy like substance that is found in the walls of all your body cells, from your nervous system to your liver and in your blood stream as well. Your body uses this cholesterol to make necessary hormones, bile acids, vitamin D and other vital substances that your body needs to survive. There are good and bad types of cholesterol as well

 

Where does the Cholesterol in your body come from?

 

Your body manufacturers all the cholesterol your body requires from the foods you eat. This cholesterol will circulate in your bloodstream in packages known as lipoproteins, which consist of fat inside and protein on the outside. Cholesterol which is a fatty substance does not mix with the blood, just as oil does not mix with water. Your blood carries it to the parts of the body where it is required as mentioned above

 

Your Body has 2 Types of cholesterol in your body, both good and bad!.

 

Your body carries two types of cholesterol one which is good for your health and the other bad… These are known as low density lipoprotein or LDL which is the bad cholesterol which carries cholesterol that builds up in your body tissues including your heart arteries. Most cholesterol in your blood at any given time is the LDL cholesterol. The higher the levels are of LDL cholesterol in your blood stream; the higher your dangers are of contracting heart disease. So remember LDL is the bad cholesterol and you don’t want high levels of this type in your body.

 

The good Cholesterol in your body is called HDL cholesterol. This cholesterol carries cholesterol away from your tissues to your liver where it is harmlessly removed from your body by natural secretion. Low levels of HDL increase heart disease. Healthy levels of HDL are good for you. Do not get mixed up between the two.

 

Why are high levels of LDL Cholesterol bad for your body?

 

Too much cholesterol in your blood leads to blocked and clogged up body tissues including your heart arteries. This build up is called plaque and as a result your arteries become less flexible. You may have heard the term atherosclerosis; which is hardening of your arteries and as you know the end result can be a heart attack. It is not just your heart blood vessels that can suffer from too much cholesterol, but any of the arteries in your body as well. If your coronary artery becomes blocked by too much plaque you will suffer angina because your blood is unable to get the oxygen it needs or the nutrients to the heart muscle. Hardening of the coronary artery is called coronary heart disease which you may likely by now have heard somewhere or another. This form of heart disease is becoming common in the western world due to high cholesterol in the blood from; Yes; and you guessed it; from unhealthy eating habits!

 

The risk factors.

 

Certain risk factors nothing can be done about regarding heart diseases and cholesterol levels. These factors where risks of heart disease are increased, are age groups for men and women over 45, which are ages that will increase the likelihood of coronary heart disease from atherosclerosis. Family history of early heart disease is also a factor that must be taken into consideration. The lack of regular exercise and bad eating habits increase the risk of heart disease from cholesterol as well. Most fast foods are prepared in unhealthy fats which is a high risk factor more than anything else as well…

 

How to lower your risks of high cholesterol.

 

Perhaps you have heard some of these tips before but it is prudent to go over them again for your information:

 

1 Avoid foods with high animal fat content. Trim excess fat off meat

2. Eat Lots of fruit, vegetables, and fiber for your health

3. Eat less salt in your diet and limit salty snacks and foods.

4. Lose some weight if you are carrying too much according to your BMI (Body Mass Index)

5. Regular sensible exercise in moderation and plenty of fresh air.

6. Stay calm and avoid stressful situations.

7. Limit your alcohol intake to a sensible level.

8. Smoke less, or give up altogether if possible.

 

Other treatments that can be used if your doctor has found you to have unhealthy levels of cholesterol are certain drugs called ‘statins’ that will control the rate which your body produces cholesterol. These drugs increase HDL and lower the bad LDL cholesterols. See above about what we mentioned about the good and bad cholesterols.

 

Watch your diet and eat healthily

 

Choose healthy fats like olive oil, avocado pears, peanut butter, unsalted nuts and fish oils. Try and limit intakes of salt, polyunsaturated fats, sunflower oils, soft margarines and salad dressings like mayonnaise. (Some newer soft low cholesterol margarine is available on the market that is completely safe to use nowadays though).

 

Watch out particularly to avoid eating too much animal fats on meats, eat less eggs, cheese, fatty meats, butter, and ice creams and of course take out foods. Naturally you can eat any of the above as long as you are sensible about it. Everyone tells you to eat more fiber, and by now with this advice it should be a given. If you are not eating enough greens or fresh vegetables then take some sort of antioxidants or supplements. Cut down drinking of alcohol to one or two drinks a day.

There is some great advice and diets that have been designed to help people with high cholesterol reduce these high levels. With a little research you will find the right ways to control your cholesterol.

 

More Heart Health Information Here

Understanding Why Men Need Testosterone Replacement

vThere are many health issues that can plague a man. The anatomy of a male is very unique and with this, there are many things that you should keep an eye on in case a health issue does arise. If you do have a concern that something is not quite right with your health, it is usually best to make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible to determine the problem and being treatments. The sooner you begin treatments, the sooner you will be back to your normal routine.

One issue that many men face and that you might also be concerned about is a decrease in your testosterone levels and therefore you might need to move forward with testosterone replacement for men. Most men know the importance of having a healthy level of testosterone because this really is what keeps you feeling energized as well as keeps your libido in check.

There are different reasons why certain men experience reduced levels in their testosterone and need to undergo testosterone replacement for men. This is something you should discuss with your doctor because they will be the one that has the best idea of why it is happening to you.

If you do have to undergo testosterone replacement for men, you will likely have to go back to the doctor regularly for monitoring. You doctor will want to make sure that they have chosen the best method of replacement and that you are being the correct dosage. Therefore, it is important to make all of the appointments that your doctor has scheduled because they want to make sure that you are getting back to feeling normal as soon as possible and they can not do this if you do not make it to your appointments. Hopefully you will be back to feeling normal and healthy in no time.

Understanding Low Calorie Diets – Part 16 – What The Heck Is Food Label?

Food labels are a useful source of useful information to low calorie dieters. Labels tell you the quantity of food you are purchasing, how many servings are in the package, how many calories are in a single helping, where the food comes from, and which ingredients were used to prepare the food.

The Nourishment Facts box on the label offers a nutritive research into the food, and many labels also clearly display a nourishment outline , for example low-sugar, low fat, or highfiber, to help ferret out products that could be beneficial on a local diet.

The words “fat-free,” “reduced-fat,” and “reduced-sugar” don’t definitely mean a food product is lowcal. Many products that are altered to reduce fat or sugar actually do contain less calories than similar products that have not been altered, but you’ve got to check and compare the product labels to be certain.

Similarly , “no added sugar” doesn’t suggest a product contains no sugar. Many foods contain natural sugars that’ll be accounted for on the nourishment label.

Look for these terms when you are buying lo-cal foods, but be certain to compare the nourishment info on similar products so you know you are truly getting what you need.

Scoping out the ingredients

All packaged foods that contain more than one ingredient have their ingredients noted on the label in descending order by weight.

If the 1st or 2nd ingredient is sugar, sucrose, fructose, corn syrup, or high-fructose corn syrup, then that food is high in sugar. If you try and avoid any kind of food, for any basis, the ingredient list is the 1st place you want to look when purchasing convenience foods and other prepared products.

Checking nutrition facts

Nearly every packed food product in the superstore displays a Nourishment Facts label that you may use to test the amount of calories and amount of other nutriments found in a single helping. Some produce and other fresh foods also carry Nourishment Facts labels, either on their skins, their packing, or on a poster or flyer.

Understanding Low Calorie Diets Part 18 – Going Aisle by Aisle In The Super Market – II

When selecting dairy products, remember that reduced-fat cheeses and yogurts also contain less calories than similar products made of full fat milk.

Do not forget to check the labels because some reduced-fat dairy foods are sweetened and seasoned with added ingredients and the calories from added sugar may actually make up for the calories that were lost with the fat.

Surveying freshly prepared foods : Thanks to the wide range of ready-to-cook and ready-to-serve foods available in the superstore today, sticking to a low-cal diet in the most healthy way possible has never been more effortless.

You should purchase peeled and cut-up veggies from the produce dep.

to be used in your own recipes or pack for lunch and nibbles, or buy premixed salads and complete starters that need nothing less than a warming up in the microwave cooker when you get home.

When selecting prepared meals aside from plain plant salads, select packages that supply a nutritional breakdown per serving. Or you don’t know precisely how many calories you’re getting or what quantity of that specific food meets your lo-calorie factors for a single helping.

Choosing frozen foods : Purchasing and eating frozen foods has its good points and bad points, but for the most part, freezing is preferred over canned for nutritive value as the freezing process destroys less nutriments.

Frozen foods are frequently your best shot for purchasing vegetables and fruit out of season. Another reason to select frozen is convenience. Many calorie-controlled foods are available in the refrigerator case that require nothing less than a whisk in the microwave stove before eating.

If that sort of junk food helps keep you away from the calorie-heavy variety, go for it! When purchasing frozen foods, check and compare the labels on fish, chickens, fruits, and veggies before you purchase, and, for the main part, stick to ordinary foods to avoid added calories.

Keep away from foods that are sauced, breaded, or fried before freezing. You’ll find some exceptions in foods devised to join a healthy, lowfat, or reduced calorie diet plan, but again, check the labels to guarantee these foods fit your standards for a low calorie diet.